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SportsRC Lens defender Samson Baidoo out for three months with thigh injury
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RC Lens' Austrian central defender Samson Baidoo will miss three months of competition after suffering a left thigh lesion during a friendly match against Charleroi on Saturday. The 22-year-old was substituted after 38 minutes, and tests confirmed the severity of the injury. Coach Dino Toppmöller announced the three-month absence on Tuesday in Como. This is a major blow for Lens, who had already lost defender Malang Sarr to free agency. The club had been temporizing in the central defense market after signing Maik Nawrocki from Celtic and recalling Souleymane Sagnan from loan, but Baidoo's injury forces them to accelerate their search for reinforcements. Matthieu Udol filled in as a central defender in a recent friendly against Crystal Palace, but the club may retain young talent Ismaëlo Ganiou despite interest from top European clubs.
Source report
Lens, France — RC Lens has been dealt a significant blow as central defender Samson Baidoo is expected to be sidelined for approximately three months due to a thigh injury, head coach Dino Toppmöller confirmed on Tuesday in Como.
The 22-year-old Austrian was substituted after just 38 minutes during Saturday's friendly against Charleroi (2-2). Medical tests later confirmed a lesion in his left thigh. Baidoo had already struggled with a hamstring injury earlier this year.
"He could be out for three months," Toppmöller said, describing the defender as a pillar of his backline.
Defensive Reinforcements Now Urgent
The injury compounds an already challenging situation for Racing, who recently lost Malang Sarr after the defender left as a free agent for Saudi Arabian club Neom.
The club had previously slowed its search for central defensive reinforcements following:
- The purchase of Polish defender Maik Nawrocki from Celtic for €2.5 million
- The return of Souleymane Sagnan from a loan spell at Caen
- The failure of a pursuit for Armando Obispo of PSV Eindhoven
Baidoo's injury now forces the club to accelerate its efforts in the transfer market.
Tactical Adjustments
In Tuesday's friendly against Crystal Palace (3-0), Matthieu Udol filled in as a central defender in a back three. However, it appears unlikely that Udol can be moved away from his natural wing-back position for an extended period.
Meanwhile, young talent Ismaëlo Ganiou — who has impressed during pre-season in the Italian heat — could be retained by the club due to the current situation, despite growing interest from Europe's top clubs.
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RC Lens Defender Samson Baidoo Out Three Months with Thigh Injury